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Crisp Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Sunflower Seeds

crisp broccoli salad with bacon and sunflower seeds - featured image
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A fresh, crunchy broccoli salad featuring smoky bacon, nutty sunflower seeds, and a tangy, slightly sweet homemade dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings and quick meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 to 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, toasted
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup raisins (optional)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Wash and thoroughly dry about 4 cups of broccoli florets. Chop into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 6 to 8 slices of thick-cut bacon and cook until crispy, about 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to paper towels to drain, then crumble once cool.
  3. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, stirring often, until fragrant and lightly golden, about 3–4 minutes.
  4. Finely chop 1/4 cup of red onion. If raw onion feels too strong, soak the chopped pieces in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon honey until smooth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  6. In a large bowl, add the chopped broccoli, crumbled bacon, toasted sunflower seeds, red onion, and 1/3 cup raisins (if using). Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
  7. Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and broccoli to soak up the dressing without losing crunch.

Notes

Use fresh broccoli for best crunch; dry thoroughly to avoid sogginess. Toast sunflower seeds carefully to avoid burning. Make ahead and chill for better flavor melding. Add fresh sunflower seeds or bacon before serving if salad softens after storage. For dairy-free, use plant-based mayo. For vegetarian, omit bacon and add extra sunflower seeds or roasted chickpeas.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon salad, sunflower seeds, summer salad, easy salad recipe, crunchy salad, healthy side dish

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/crisp-broccoli-salad-with-bacon-and-sunflower-seeds-easy-recipe-for-summer/